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Finally ordered a Tubescreamer!

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(@wes-inman)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5582
Topic starter  

Not really, I'm lying. :twisted:

But I have always wanted a Tubescreamer just because I've read so much about it, how it is the ultimate overdrive pedal with the best tone ever. But being the cheapo I am, no way I am gonna pay $150 for a TS808. But I still want to try one of these pedals and see if they're really that good.

So, I did the next best thing. I ordered Behringer's TO800 Vintage Overdrive pedal for $25. That's more like it. :wink:

But don't laugh, I did a lot of research on Tubescreamers. The modern popular TSs, the TS9 ($99) and the TS808 ($150) are not the REAL Tubescreamers that everybody wants and pays up to $500 on EBay to get. The vintage Tubescreamers had the JRC4558D and RC4558P chips in them. This is the pedal SRV made famous, and people pay BIG bucks for. The modern Tubescreamers are great, but they do not have these chips and do not sound like the original Tubescreamer at all.

Well guess what?? Behringer built this pedal with these chips. Yep, the originals.

http://www.behringer.com/TO800/index.cfm?lang=ENG

And I read some reviews on Harmony Central. There aren't a lot because this pedal is new. But the majority of reviewers say this pedal is awesome and sounds like the real thing.

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/product/Behringer/TO800+Vintage+Tube+Overdrive/25/1

The only real complaints I saw was the plastic construction. Big deal. I own lots of plastic pedals (Danelectro, Arion...), had 'em for years and they all still work perfect. Besides, I recently ordered the Behringer CS100 Compressor (I know, I said I hate compressors) just to see what the fuss is about. And it is a very well built pedal, surprisingly so. Sounds awesome IMHO too.

Just cause they're called stompboxes doesn't mean you actually STOMP on them. :roll:

Anyway, It'll probably be a week before I get this, but I can't wait to try it out. I wanted a boost pedal for leads anyway, the Tubescreamer is supposed to be the best. And for $30 including shipping, it's a win-win deal.

You have to search a little to find these pedals in the US. Here is one site.

http://www.bananas.com/productdetail.asp/pid_9620/productname_Behringer-Vintage-Tube-Overdrive-TO800

That's it, no big deal. But I thought others might like to know about this pedal. Like the Epiphone Valve Junior head, sometimes you can get a really great product at a great price if you shop around a little.

If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis


   
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(@Anonymous)
New Member
Joined: 1 second ago
Posts: 0
 

A good alternative is the DigiTech Bad Monkey Tube Overdrive Pedal. I paid $18 used on eBay (MINT condition!) and it's sweet. I did a side-by-side comparison at GC one day with the TS808. The TS808 had GREAT tone and I could only imagine how it sounded with a tube amp (I tested it with the same Behringer GMX210 I have). But for me I always look at the price difference, my ability, and my goals to justify the $150 purchase. The Bad Monkey is perfect for what I use it for. As a matter of fact I used it when I recorded my Blues In the Key of A Improv and the cover of Cream's Sunshile of your love.


   
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(@misanthrope)
Noble Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 2261
 

The configuration of the rest of the circuit must be a big consideration though? Mind you, the circuit diagrams for the expensive tubescreamers are 'out there' - you could always yoink the chip out of the cheaper pedal and use it in a home-made clone, if the chip is the only bit that's difficult to get hold of.

ChordsAndScales.co.uk - Guitar Chord/Scale Finder/Viewer


   
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(@dogbite)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
 

my Turbo Tubescreamer went to Analogman as a common pedal
and came back rechipped
and I flipped it's so good.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
http://www.soundclick.com/couleerockinvaders


   
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(@ignar-hillstrom)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 5349
 

No idea about this one Wes, but I use the Berry To100 and it sounds fine as a booster, I haven't had problems with any of my plastic pedals. Let us know how it sounds (maybe some clips?), might be worth looking into this myself. :)


   
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(@flashback)
Reputable Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 266
 

Before my recent incident. I ran two tube screamers modded by keeley.

Basically one was set as a clean boost that made my clean singal 'spanky' or 'hairy' and a second one that covered the super sustaining feedback inducing drive. Really similiar to how SRV used his TS's.

Honestly I think they are worth every penny I paid for them and I plan on buying them again!

GN's resident learning sponge, show me a little and I will soak it up.


   
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(@timezone)
Estimable Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 205
 

I don't really get it about the tubescreamers, those "magical" chips you referenced are not hard to find. I"ve got a few kicking around a parts bin right behind me. That said, I have the chips because I felt it necessary to build my own TS808 clone. ;) I just can't help but tinker, and hey, if I was going to put time and effort into building a pedal, may as well be the best, right? I should maybe pick up one of these cheap Behringer pedals and compare it. FYI, generalguitargadgets.com sells a parts kit for the TS808 clone, at $60. They didn't have that kit when I built mine, so I had to pick up the parts piecemeal (mostly from smallbearelectronics), but $60 seems a decent price for the parts (and a whole lot less than the $150 Ibanez charges). So, if you're handy w/ a soldering iron....

TZ


   
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(@Anonymous)
New Member
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THIS GUY wrote a great and thorough review of the TO800 and compared it to an original Ibanez TS-808. If you scroll down a bit there's even a sound clip using a tele, strat, and LP.


   
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(@wes-inman)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5582
Topic starter  

TimeZone

I agree, I don't understand why Ibanez got away from these original chips if they make that much difference. But according to many, they do.

There is a nice site on EBay that sells modded modern Tubescreamers, and even Boss pedals with these chips.

http://stores.ebay.com/MohoMods

I considered one of these. The price is good and you get the more durable housing. But as I wrote before, I am not concerned about plastic housings. Plastic is pretty darn strong. I usually mount my pedals on a pedalboard, so I am not constantly plugging or unplugging cords, or even changing batteries. I haven't had a pedal fail on me in many years.

Mike, I saw that site when I was researching this pedal. Pretty informative. The sound clips are OK, but a little skewed. Many say the Behringer pedal is hotter. The reviewer used the same exact settings on those clips so the Behringer is a little more distorted and harsh. That's fine, but he probably should have compared the Behringer with gain and tone turned down a little, gone for the same tone.

All I know is many reviewers said this Behringer sounds just as good as the original Tubescreamers, and a few said it sounded even better. I'll spend $30 to take a chance on that.

If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis


   
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(@wes-inman)
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Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5582
Topic starter  

Here is a clip of Mr. Brownstone by Guns and Roses using the B TO800.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62WWki3gIE

If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis


   
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(@smokindog)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5345
 

If you want to go with a Low budget solution the "Tubulator" sounds great IMHO and is dirt cheap. I use one with my EVH and have no complaints :D Its only $9.99 at MF.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Arion-MTE1-Tubulator-Distortion-Pedal?sku=150509

My Youtube Page
http://www.youtube.com/user/smokindog
http://www.soundclick.com/smokindogandthebluezers

http://www.soundclick.com/guitarforumjams


   
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(@ricochet)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 7833
 

That Tubulator's gotten lots of good reviews over on the http://valvejunior.com/ site. (Probably some from you, Dog.) I remember I was about to buy one at $11.99, then it went up to $13.99. I just ordered two at $9.99, one for me and one for my boy. I needed a bunch of guitar stands anyway, and went on and got one of Bigheart Luther's large heavy Bronze Bomber slides, so I just made it up to free shipping. (I'm saving myself right into the poorhouse again.)
:lol:

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."


   
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(@smokindog)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5345
 

Hey you can't pass up a good deal :lol: At $9.99 a pop I got one for my brother-in-law :D

My Youtube Page
http://www.youtube.com/user/smokindog
http://www.soundclick.com/smokindogandthebluezers

http://www.soundclick.com/guitarforumjams


   
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 vink
(@vink)
Prominent Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 722
 

You guys are making me feel bad .. I bought one at full price ($19.99) after it had gone off sale after the $13.99 price, and now they have them for 9.99. Go figure .. but, I guess it's ok, I was not tempted to buy a spare at that price :-)

--vink
"Life is either an adventure or nothing" -- Helen Keller


   
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(@coloradofenderbender)
Noble Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 1106
 

Thanks for the heads up on the pedal, Wes. I bought one on the site you listed - dirt cheap! My TS is going on Ebay soon!


   
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